Kiko to pass north of Hawaii, still bringing rain and heavy surf to Islands
Kiko is forecast to pass north of Hawaii as a tropical storm, but rain and gusty winds are expected to impact the islands from Tuesday to Wednesday. Building seas will precede the storm's arrival.
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As Tropical Storm Kiko gradually loses wind intensity in the coming days, its center is forecast to pass north of the Hawaiian Islands. However, an expansive wind field and moisture will bring rough seas and sporadic rain, AccuWeather meteorologists say.
Kiko previously peaked as a Category 4 hurricane while over the eastern Pacific. Kiko was moving west-northwest at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was located 215 miles north-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii. Tropical-storm-force winds expanded out to 105 miles from the storm's center.
This image of Kiko as a tropical storm was captured on Tuesday morning (local time), on Sept. 9, 2025. The storm has lost most of its high-flying cloud cover, but a swirl of clouds in the lowest part of the atmosphere remained just northeast of the Hawaiian Islands. (AccuWeather Enhanced RealVue™ Satellite)
As swells push southward from the storm to the north, large waves in the surf zone can pose hazards for swimmers and inexperienced surfers, mainly on the north-facing beaches.
Despite losing wind intensity upon nearing Hawaii, Kiko has the potential to set off locally heavy and gusty showers and thunderstorms over the islands through Wednesday, as a flow of moisture tends to develop to the south of tropical cyclones that pass to the north.
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Factoring in the amount of rain, localized flooding and gusty winds, Kiko rates less than one on the AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes in Hawaii.
“As Kiko passes north of the islands, a plume of tropical moisture is forecast to extend over Hawaii and could lead to locally gusty thunderstorms and flash flooding,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty said.
"Trade wind patterns may be disrupted as Kiko passes north of Hawaii," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said. "This can lead to a localized fire danger, especially in areas experiencing moderate to severe drought on the leeward sides of the islands."
Rainfall of 1–2 inches is expected across most of the Hawaiian Islands through Wednesday as Kiko passes.
Wind gusts of 40 mph or higher are possible along the northern parts of the islands, mainly in squalls developing on the fringe of the distant tropical storm.
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